Attorney General Bill Schuette said Monday Consumers Energy will spend $900,000 to help victims affected by natural gas disasters with shelter, food and clothing. Another $100,000 will help study best safety practices and train utilities and first responders.

“What happened to Daniel Malczynski was an inexcusable tragedy, and my heart goes out to his loved ones,” said Schuette, in a media release. “The two main goals of this $1 million agreement are, first, to ensure tragedies like this are not repeated, and second, to provide a safety net for Consumers Energy customers who face the unthinkable tragedy of a natural gas disaster.

“It’s not good enough to just respond to victims after the fact. We must do all we can to ensure mistakes of the past are not repeated,” Schuette continued. “To accomplish this, Consumers Energy will complete an independent study of the best natural gas safety practices in the industry and train Michigan utility workers and first responders to better respond to natural gas incidents for the protection of the public.”

The $1 million agreement with Schuette remains independent of the Michigan Public Service Commission’s ongoing investigation of the Royal Oak explosion and any sanctions that may follow that investigation.

“Michigan families deserve the highest standards of safety, and the commitments achieved with this agreement are the first steps toward strengthening public safety for the citizens of Michigan,” said Schuette.

Schuette said victims helped by the fund won’t waive their right to sue the unit of Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp.